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Yemen: Thousands Protesting Against Saleh Rule

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Yemen, Politics, Protest

This post is part of our special coverage Yemen Protests 2011 [1].

Reports of protests [2] in Yemen are being received with delight across the Arab world, where netizens are showing a lot of support for their Yemeni brothers and sisters.

According to the BBC, thousands of Yemenis are demonstrating in the capital Sanaa, calling on president Ali Abdulla Saleh, who has been in power for more than 30 years, to step down. The timing of the Yemeni protests coincides with widespread demonstrations [3] across Egypt, calling for an end of Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, and follow the Tunisian people's uprising, [4] which saw strongman Zein Al Abidine Ben Ali and his family flee Tunisia, after ruling it with an iron first for 23 years.

On Twitter, the mood was jubilant, as netizens from around the world wished Yemen would go the Tunisian way, and oust Saleh.

Moniraism notes [5]:

The revolution is contagious. Thank you Tunisia for your inspiration.

Bint Yunus exclaims [6]:

YA RABB! (Oh God!) The Arabs have TRULY AWOKEN!

Mona El Tahawy explains [7]:

#Mubarak has ruled #Egypt [8] since 1981. Ali Abdullah Saleh has ruled #Yemen [9] since 1978. Enough! Kefaya! #DictatorsOut [10] #Sidibouzid [11] #Jan25 [12]

Saudi Woman notes [13]:

‎ it started in Tunis and moved to Egypt and Yemen, I predict Syria next. It might even already started but the media there is controlled.

Tarek adds [14]:

wish as much news was coming out of Yemen as there is Egypt. Which decades-old dictatorship will fall first?

And Kevenleversee predicts [15]:

Iran, Tunisia, Egypt and now Yemen, I see the previous totalitarian world coming open thru mobile social web

This post is part of our special coverage Yemen Protests 2011 [1].